Luftwaffe Bronze Bomber Clasp

[Malcolm Smith]

Hi Guys, Hope everyone had a good Christmas,
I normally collect tinnies, but the dealer I buy from has a luftwaffe bronze bomber clasp for $40. The wreath around the bomb has a crack in it. Is a real one with that kind of damage worth it, and can anyone give me a few pointers on how to tell if it's the real mccoy?
Thanks!
Malcolm

[Marc Garlasco]

Malcom,
Um YES!!!!! That is a no-brainer - IF it is legit... Do a search on this site and you will find more than enough info, or post pics and we will let you know. A CRACK? If that got me a discount of a couple hundred bucks I'd leap at it (if real).
Marc

[Mike H]

Cracks

Malcolm,

I believe these wreaths were a bit fragile on some of the clasps and so a small crack is not unusual.

Mike

[Malcolm Smith]

Bronze clasp update

Hi guys, thanks for the advice. I went ahead and bought the clasp and the dealer threw in a Order of the Red Star in the deal!!
It turns out that the clasp is actually silver or silver washed. Should the crack be repaired or left alone? The crack is at the bottom where the wreath meets the swastika. It also has some green spotting (tarnish?) Should that be left alone as well?
Thanks!
Malcolm

[Frank Heukemes]

Hi Malcolm,

If it has green tarnish (verdigris), it is most likely a Tombak badge with a silver plating. Cracks are not uncommon on flight clasps, many happened even during production. The only way to determine if it is ok, is by posting pics.

Cheers,

Frank